Drexel University to begin offering classes at MCCC

Montgomery County Community College President Dr. Karen Stout, left and Drexel University President John A. Fry shake hands after signing a partnership agreement during a ceremony held at MCCC Tuesday afternoon. Photo by John Strickler/The Mercury

POTTSTOWN — Drexel University has joined the University Center initiative at Montgomery County Community College and will soon begin offering doctorate, graduate and professional development programs in Pottstown through its School of Education.

A partnership agreement signing was held at MCCC’s University Center Tuesday, bringing together MCCC President Karen A. Stout and Drexel University President John A. Fry, along with leaders and faculty from both institutions. Stout said that the agreement is the start of additional conversations and work with Drexel.

“This particular partnership is meaningful to Montgomery County Community College because I look at Drexel as a real innovator and entrepreneurial leader in higher education,” said Stout. “And I also look at this institution as being entrepreneurial and innovative, especially with the work that we have done with the West Campus and trying to be at the heart of the community development and economic renewal that’s so important for the Pottstown community.”

Stout said Fry has led the way in helping institutions see their role in community and economic development. “And it’s as important as our higher education — they go together,” she said.

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Stout and Fry talked about the two institutions being “kindred spirits” in terms of the way they each view and interpret their missions and how they relate to their communities.

“That’s why this partnership is going to be great. Not only because we’re part of the center, but because I think this begins to lay the cornerstone for what is going to be, I hope will be a much broader and longer term strategic relationship,” Fry said. He added that the relationship could include online offerings or different degree programs.

“I think the possibilities are really vast. At the same time, we’re thinking about our students together and how we can enhance their accomplishments educationally. We’re also really thinking about our local communities and how we can shape and build our local communities,” he said.

At MCCC’s University Center in Pottstown, Drexel will offer a Doctor in Education in Educational Leadership and Management with six concentration options in Athletic Administration, Educational Policy, Human Resource Development, Educational Administration, Higher Education and Special Education Leadership. Drexel will also offer two master’s degrees — an M.S. in Learning Technologies and an M.S. in Educational Improvement and Transformation.

In addition, Drexel will offer several Professional Development Certificates in Pottstown, including Educational Policy and Learning Technologies, with others to come.

MCCC’s University Center idea was launched in 2006, and offers an entrepreneurial approach to expanding higher education opportunities for residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Through partnerships with select four-year institutions, students are able to choose from eight bachelor’s degrees, four master’s degrees, one graduate certificate, two doctorates and six professional development certificates. And the two leaders agree that the entrepreneurial approach is key to meeting their mission.

“Partnerships like this are important because they give our students pathways that they wouldn’t otherwise have,” Stout added. “We’ve always been nimble and flexible and responsive. It is an essential part of the fabric of this type of institution.”

“This is the way we have to act. And in this case, I think we see market demand where there really hasn’t been the kinds of programs and services available, so we’re teaming up to make sure that we can fill that gap. This will be a constant refrain going forward,” Fry said.

With the signing, Drexel become the sixth four-year college to partner with MCCC. The others are: Temple University, Albright College, Villanova University, Chestnut Hill College and Immaculata University, which also offers a Doctor in Education in Higher Education at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell.